MEP GIVES WARNING OVER HOLIDAY SCAMS

MEP GIVES WARNING OVER HOLIDAY SCAMS

FINAL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR TIMESHARE TOUTS

SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP has issued a warning to Scots holidaying in
the EU this summer not to be taken in by scams involving timeshares and
holiday clubs.


The European Parliament recently passed new legislation aimed at curbing
the activities of bogus timeshare salesmen. The laws will not however come
into full force until 2011 and so the conmen have a final window of
opportunity to sell fraudulent schemes.


Mr Hudghton, a member of the Internal Market & Consumer Protection
Committee, commented:


"Every year thousands of Scots head to the sun and have a wonderful time.
However, every year a number of unsuspecting holidaymakers find themselves
victims of timeshare and holiday club scams.


"The European parliament has recognised this problem and new laws have
been passed to ban the dodgy practices. These laws however will not be
fully applied across the EU until 2011 and so the conmen are still out
there.


"My advice therefore is for holidaymakers to tread carefully if approached
by salesmen on the beach or in the bars. The conmen can be charming and
persuasive and appear to be offering a great deal.


"However, things can often turn sour and people can lose significant sums
of money.

"No honest salesman will demand a signature up front; anyone who does is
bogus and should be sharply sent on their way."